BIOGRAPHY
Short
Brendan Toohey is a classically trained clarinetist who specialises in advanced solo and ensemble performance. Currently based in Melbourne, Brendan is equally at home playing solo recitals, chamber music, orchestral and concert band repertoire on all members of the extended clarinet family.
Brendan also frequently performs on saxophone and occasionally on flute and bassoon in jazz and musical theatre settings.
Long
Brendan Toohey is an Australian professional clarinettist and is currently a full-time member of the Royal Australian Air Force Band based in Melbourne.
Originally from Brisbane, Brendan holds a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours from the Queensland Conservatorium where he studied with the Associate Principal clarinettist of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Brian Catchlove. In 2011, Brendan won the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra Mozart Concerto Competition, the Queensland Clarinet and Saxophone Society competition before also winning first prize in the Australian Clarinet and Saxophone conference competition in Melbourne. In 2012, Brendan moved to Melbourne and completed a Master of Arts degree in clarinet performance at Monash University studying with David Griffiths. Brendan has performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, Melbourne Opera and many other professional ensembles throughout Victoria and Queensland. Brendan is also a casual clarinet performer with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra in Sydney, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Brendan is currently the president of the Victorian Clarinet and Saxophone Society (Clasax), is a Backun endorsed performing artist and has previously been a casual lecturer in instrumental music pedagogy at Deakin University.
Photography: David Mullins